Police initially took pictures of the inside of the van, but did not take custody of it until days later, which is when they obtained the blood spatter evidence critical to the case. Prosecutors said a DNA test revealed a droplet of Mya's blood on the rear window shade on the driver's side of the van. That, they say, doesn't fit with Mya's body being placed in the rear seat on the passenger side. | Richard Lyons talks to ABC7 in 2009

"It is the opinion of the experts that that's where she was stabbed," said Anita Alvarez, Cook County state's attorney.

Prosecutors say blunt trauma and asphyxiation contributed to the girl's death. Prosecutors say a lockbox found in Lyons' backyard matches with wounds found on Mya's body. They believe he struck her with it repeatedly.

"She was then moved to the van of Richard Lyons where we believe he stabbed her multiple times - primarily in the abdomen," said Anita Alvarez, Cook Co. state's attorney.

The 9-year-old was stabbed as many as 10 times and had 30 entrance and exit wounds on her body.

"It hurts terribly, but the evidence spoke for itself," said Barnes. Prosecutors have not released a motive, but said their evidence is strong. Lyons' attorney calls the case circumstantial at best, and said blood spatter forensics is tantamount to junk science.

"We look forward to challenging the so-called scientific evidence in this case because as far as I can see now, that's the only evidence in this case," said Alan Blumenthal, Lyons' attorney.